10 Dog Breeds Similar to Chihuahuas for Tiny Dog Lovers
I have owned chihuahuas for over a decade, and whenever friends ask me about getting a small dog, I always recommend my favorite breed first. But chihuahuas are not for everyone, and sometimes people want something with a similar vibe but different characteristics. That got me curious about what other dog breeds similar to chihuahuas exist out there, and after spending time around many of these breeds at shows, parks, and through fellow small dog owners, I put together this list of ten breeds that share key traits with the chihuahua while bringing their own unique qualities to the table.
Each of these breeds shares at least a few things with chihuahuas, whether that is compact size, big personality, fierce loyalty, or the kind of sass that makes tiny dogs so entertaining to live with.
1. Papillon
The Papillon is probably the closest match to a chihuahua in terms of personality packed into a small body. These dogs weigh between 5 and 10 pounds and have enormous butterfly shaped ears that give them their name. I met a Papillon at a training class once and was struck by how alert, quick, and opinionated she was, which is basically the chihuahua experience in a different package. They are incredibly smart, eager to please when they feel like it, and have enough energy to keep up with an active household.
The biggest difference from chihuahuas is that Papillons tend to be more universally friendly with strangers, while chihuahuas can be more selective about who earns their trust.
2. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are the fluffy cousins of the chihuahua world. They weigh 3 to 7 pounds and come with an enormous coat that makes them look twice their actual size, plus a personality that is every bit as bold and theatrical as a chihuahua’s. I know several people who own both breeds and they say the dynamic is almost identical, a tiny dog who thinks they run the household and is usually right about it.
According to the American Kennel Club, Pomeranians are active, intelligent, and can be just as feisty as chihuahuas when they want to be. They do require significantly more grooming due to their thick double coat, so that is worth considering if you prefer the low maintenance aspect of smooth coat chihuahuas.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies and chihuahuas share a surprising amount of common ground. Both breeds are tiny, both have enormous personalities relative to their size, and both tend to bond deeply with their primary person. Yorkies typically weigh between 4 and 7 pounds and have that classic terrier tenacity that means they will stand their ground against dogs five times their size, which is behavior any chihuahua owner will recognize immediately.
The main distinction is the coat. Yorkies have a long, silky, continuously growing coat that requires regular grooming and trimming, while chihuahuas are comparatively low maintenance in the hair department.
4. Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher, or Min Pin, is what you get when you take a chihuahua’s attitude and put it in a slightly more athletic body. These dogs weigh 8 to 12 pounds and have a confident, strutting gait that earned them the nickname “King of Toys.” I dog sat for a Min Pin once and the experience was remarkably similar to living with a chihuahua, right down to the territorial barking and the refusal to accept that they are not the largest creature in any room.
Min Pins are high energy and need more exercise than most chihuahuas, but their loyalty and devotion to their owners is cut from the same cloth.
5. Italian Greyhound
If you love chihuahuas for their delicate build and their tendency to burrow under blankets, the Italian Greyhound takes those traits to the next level. These dogs weigh 7 to 14 pounds and are the definition of elegant, with long legs, a slender frame, and a gentle disposition that belies their surprising speed. They share the chihuahua’s sensitivity to cold weather and their love of being wrapped in blankets on the couch.
Italian Greyhounds are generally calmer than chihuahuas and less prone to the reactive barking that some chihuahuas are known for, which makes them a good option for people who want a quiet, affectionate lap dog.
6. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested comes in two varieties, hairless and powderpuff, and both share the chihuahua’s devotion to their human. These dogs weigh 8 to 12 pounds and are incredibly affectionate, often described as velcro dogs who want to be touching their person at all times. That level of attachment will feel very familiar to anyone who has a chihuahua permanently grafted to their lap.
The hairless variety has the same temperature sensitivity as chihuahuas, needing sweaters in cold weather and sunscreen in summer. Their skin care needs are higher than most breeds, but their personality more than makes up for the extra maintenance.
7. Toy Fox Terrier
The Toy Fox Terrier is a breed I did not know much about until I met one at a veterinary waiting room and immediately thought, this dog has chihuahua energy. They weigh 3.5 to 7 pounds and have the bold, alert, no nonsense attitude of a much bigger terrier compressed into a toy sized body. They are smart, trainable, and have just enough stubbornness to keep things interesting.
Like chihuahuas, Toy Fox Terriers can be wary of strangers but are incredibly loyal to their families. They tend to have slightly more consistent trainability than chihuahuas, which makes them a good option for first time small dog owners who want that tiny dog personality with a bit more cooperation.
8. Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffons are small, expressive dogs who weigh 8 to 10 pounds and have faces that look almost human in their expressiveness. They share the chihuahua’s tendency to choose one person as their absolute favorite and can be similarly aloof with everyone else until they decide otherwise. I find their personality remarkably chihuahua like, full of opinions and not shy about expressing them.
According to Dogster, Brussels Griffons are sensitive, loyal, and can be stubborn, which is a description that could apply to virtually every chihuahua I have ever known.
9. Maltese
The Maltese is one of the gentlest toy breeds and shares the chihuahua’s compact size at 4 to 7 pounds. Where they differ most is in temperament. Maltese tend to be more universally friendly and less territorial than chihuahuas, making them a good alternative for families who want a tiny dog without the spicy attitude that chihuahuas sometimes bring to the table.
They do require significant grooming to maintain their long white coat, but their sweet, playful nature and devotion to their owners will feel very familiar to chihuahua lovers who appreciate the bonding aspect of the breed.
10. Dachshund (Miniature)
Miniature Dachshunds weigh under 11 pounds and share the chihuahua’s stubborn streak, loud bark, and complete conviction that they are the most important being in any household. I have met several chihuahua and Dachshund households and the owners always laugh about how similar the two breeds are in personality despite looking nothing alike. Both breeds are loyal to a fault, suspicious of strangers until properly introduced, and absolutely convinced they deserve to be on every piece of furniture in the house.
Dachshunds do have specific back health concerns due to their long spines, similar to how chihuahuas have their own breed specific health considerations, so responsible ownership requires understanding those unique needs.
Finding Your Perfect Small Dog Match
Every breed on this list shares something with chihuahuas, but none of them are exactly like a chihuahua. That is the beauty of it. If you already have a chihuahua and want a compatible companion, several of these breeds can coexist wonderfully with chihuahuas because they understand the small dog experience from the same perspective. If you are still deciding whether a chihuahua is right for you, spending time with these similar breeds can help you figure out exactly what traits matter most to you in a tiny dog. For more about what makes chihuahuas unique, read our guide on the history of the chihuahua and our article about chihuahua size and breed standards.
